Health Sciences BS

Discover what’s possible with a flexible Health Sciences degree that adapts to your goals.

Why Choose Health Sciences at ACPHS?

Whether you’re aiming to become a physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse or another allied health professional, our Health Sciences program offers more than a strong academic foundation in the basic sciences, behavioral health and patient-centered care.

From day one, you’ll be immersed in courses focused entirely on human health—no general-biology track—guided by faculty with real-world experience across clinical, applied and academic fields. You’ll join a community of future health-care leaders, all driven by a shared commitment to improving the well-being of others and preparing for impactful careers or advanced study in allied health.

What is Health Sciences?

Our Health Sciences program gives you a 360-degree view of health care—starting with biology and chemistry and extending into public health, communication and patient care. It’s designed to be a launchpad for careers in:

• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Physical or Occupational Therapy
• Nursing
• Athletic Training
• Optometry
• Dentistry
• Cardiovascular Perfusion
• and many other health-related fields

Career Opportunities

There’s never been a better time to enter the health-care field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, health-care occupations are expected to grow 13% through 2031, creating 2 million new jobs over the next decade.

Each year, about 1.9 million health-care job openings are projected, driven by both industry growth and the need to replace retiring professionals.

With an average salary of $101,350 for health professionals with graduate training, investing in your future through advanced education can truly pay off.

Program Details

Coursework

The Health Sciences program is designed to build a strong foundation in the sciences, communication, humanities and public health, while exploring what it means to be a health-care professional.

With 121 credits, this degree can be completed in as little as 3.5 years, making it a popular choice for students preparing for PA programs with January start dates.

The coursework is tailored to your individual goals. In your first year, an Introduction to Health Professions course helps you map out your path.

As you near graduation, a Preparation for Health Professions course supports your next steps—whether it’s building a competitive graduate-school application or preparing to enter the workforce. You’ll practice interviewing skills, craft a personal statement and learn about the admissions process for health-professions schools.

The core of the program includes 79 credits that support your development across key areas—science, behavioral health and professional growth.

You’ll also personalize your education with:

• 12 credits of natural science electives to dive deeper into subjects like human genetics or immunology.
• Nine credits of patient-centered-care electives focused on real-world topics like patient communication or cultural competency in medicine.
• 21 credits of free electives that let you explore your interests, including options like independent research alongside faculty.

Learning Goals and Outcomes

Graduates of the Health Sciences program at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the traditional and emerging disciplines of health sciences disciplines and obtain, interpret and apply information about health-related issues from the scientific literature.
• Integrate and apply knowledge to solve complex health-science problems and effectively communicate scientific and health-care information with diverse audiences using printed, oral, visual and digital media.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills required of practicing health-care professionals, including empathy, communication skills, professionalism, creative thinking, leadership and teamwork.